Laura Lee - BSc (Hons) Tourism Management graduate

“I would advise students, especially those who study with Plymouth but are based in countries other than the UK, to join in with the summer courses and other extra-curricular or social activities. Students can find the strongest sense of belonging with the University of Plymouth via building relationships with people there.”

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

Studying my degree gave me the opportunity to consider various career paths and gave me an insight into various interesting job roles which I could have pursued: for example a professional company secretary.

Among the seven modules I studied, I selected hospitality and tourism related areas of study because the line of work which I wanted to pursue involved companies which required examples of operational management in running a business. Therefore, I did as much as possible during my academic studies to expose myself to elements of business management, on top of which I gained an extra insight into the hospitality and tourism industry.

My current work involves lots of coordination and expectation management, for both internal and external parties. I have to pay a lot of attention to improving not only my own interpersonal and communication attributes but also the interpersonal and communication attributes of others.

What is the most difficult thing which you have faced in your career?

My work involves coordinating with various parties, both internally and externally. When diverse groups of people have different interpretations of a state of affairs, the challenge is to measure and manage individual expectations on the progress and outcomes of a situation. Therefore, effective communication and interpersonal skills play an essential role when completing tasks efficiently. I still have much room for improvement using these techniques.

What is the best, most exciting or fun thing that you have done in your career?

It is important to keep developing my skill set; doing this will ensure that I am ready to grab any future career developments. I, therefore, pursue part-time jobs at companies of various industries: such as food and beverage, education, customer service, ICT-related and also human resources.

Each job provides me with unique challenges and worthwhile learning experiences. Besides, I am glad to meet people from different nationalities who come from various backgrounds. On top of gaining work experience and earning extra money, sharing my thoughts and making friends are two of the benefits that I treasure very much and get most excited about.

How did studying at Plymouth help you?

First of all, I would say that studying a part-time degree has allowed me to really boost my time management skills. With the limited time I got to spend reading and revising, it was important to strike a balance between work and study and this has absolutely enhanced my ability to multi-task in the workplace.

Studying at the University of Plymouth also developed my ability to think logically and to think critically. One of the key qualities I learned was the ability to glance through resources and pick out critical points. Again, this key attribute has allowed me to effectively time manage my duties in the workplace. Many of the skills you learn at Plymouth allow you to work effectively and productively.

Lastly, learning how to use SPSS and several research methods has given me a host of skills and has also increased my creativity. In my current workplace, I have had to generate audit reports and other statistical analysis, and the University of Plymouth has really benefited me.

What is your favourite memory of studying at Plymouth? 

As my study location was in Hong Kong, I was always happy to join in the extra-curricular and social activities when studying at the University of Plymouth. There is so much to enjoy and get involved in.

I would advise students, especially those who study with Plymouth but are based in countries other than the UK, to join in with the summer courses and other extra-curricular or social activities. Students can find the strongest sense of belonging with the University of Plymouth via building relationships with people there.

Would you recommend undertaking a course with the University of Plymouth, and why?

Without a doubt. I've really benefited from studying at Plymouth and I have really been able to improve my communication skills as a result. The types of assessments which you are given are not only limited to individual essay writing or group reports, or even presentations; you also have the opportunity to study in an environment where each student experience is valued and you can evolve as a leader and head discussions. All of the interactions with classmates have provided me with the opportunities to identify and understand my imperfections whilst simultaneously enhancing my ability to communicate with others.

The programme I studied at Plymouth exceeded my expectations. The unique values which I developed during my academic studies I now see replicated in industry-related environments in both Hong Kong and UK.

For those who are passionate about tourism development or would like to develop a career in this industry, BSc (Hons) Tourism Management would be one of my highly recommended endorsements.